I Need U // Park Jimin

CHAPTER 22: Friends?

-Layla's POV-
I woke up in bed. It's 6:30am, Monday. My body aches, and I don't want to go to school. I groaned, as I slowly picked myself up.
Yesterday, Melody broke down at the funeral. It hurt me, to see her like this. I'm scared that she might hurt herself again - Katrina told me about it.
To cheer her up, I went for a walk around the deserted field with Melody. At first, all she was doing was looking upset, staring at the floor. But after a while, we loosened up. I was relieved, as I know what she went through.

--Flashback--
Melody took my hand, and I helped her stand up. She sniffed, and wiped her tears away with her arm.
We started to walk.
"Look, I just wanted to say I'm sorry. I know I've been so horrible to you, but I want to explain." I looked at Melody, waiting for her reaction.
"It's okay. Besides, what you did wasn't that bad." Melody sounded tired, as if she had given up trust on anyone.
"No, what I did was terrible. I dragged you into an alleyway and threatened you!" I sighed, dissapointed in myself. I never thought I would have to say that sentence in my life.

"I should have stopped Katrina," I shook my head.
"Stopped her doing what?" Melody asked, turning her head to meet my eyes.
"I should have stopped her from controlling me," I finished my sentence. "She would never do anything herself - so she always asked me to do everything for her. Basically, the plan, the bullying, was her idea. I didn't get to have a say in any of it."
"Then why did you become friends in the first place?" Melody said confused.
"Its because I am her cousin's friend, and I got introduced to her. I always knew there was something wrong with her - she seemed very closed and upset. And no one else realised it, so it made it even more hard for Katrina to cope with life. But that was only the last 3 years. That was after she left to America, right?" I questioned, while I brushed the dry, green grass with my fingertips.

"Yea. But why did she become like this? Is it because I was the only one she could talk to?" She frowned.
"I think so. And she got bullied in America too - Her competitors at the dance studio were so mean to her. I decided to talk to her one day at her house, and she told me that she got bullied. She also told me that she had to part with a girl called Melody. I wanted her to have someone to talk to, since you weren't here. So I reassured her and said that I can be that person you were to her. She really valued you, y' know that Melody?"
Melody stopped, and started weeping again. I gave her a hug and patted her back. She was having a mental breakdown.

The sky was bright blue, the field was colourful and birds chirped peacefully. It didn't feel right that in the field, a girl was bawling her eyes out.

"I have to stop crying." Melody sobbed.
"Its okay. Sometimes crying is the best." She reminded me of when Katrina said the exact same thing.

--End of flashback--

"I'm leaving nooowww!" I shouted to my mum, and I stepped out the door.
I kicked a pebble, as I truged to school.
My shoes are heavy Dr.Martins, I can't help but drag my feet.
In ten minutes, I enter the school gates. I smiled. Its a new, fresh school day with no more people controlling my life. Today, I am going to be kind to Melody. I want to make good friends with her.

-Melody's POV-
I see Layla at the school gates, and I want to thank her for cheering me up yesterday. I knew right from the beginning, that deep inside she was an affectionate person. Yesterday, I realised that I've forgiven Layla. After she explained everything to me, I understood what position she was stuck in.

About Katrina - As I said, I'll never forgive myself for what I did. I deserved it more than her. She was just an insecure girl who felt defenceless. I was the only one she could take it out on.

I wonder what it really feels like to take something out on someone. I used to, but stopped when I was around 10. It's because it didn't help, and it would be much easier to just deal with it myself.

I nervously stride towards Layla, and gave her a shy smile.
"Hi," I waved slightly at her.
"Hey," she waved back.
"So, um, I just wanted to say thank you for being so supportive yesterday. I really appreciate it, and I hope we can become good friends." Phew. That took some courage.
"Don't worry. You don't deserve any of this, so I want to be here for you. Let's be friends, 'Cus that's what we want, eh?" She nudged me on the shoulder.
We both giggled.

We walked to class together, and painfully got through the first two lessons : Geography and English.
At break, me and Layla sat on the bench. It's the one which I sat on, when Layla was pretending to be my friend. It was all before Katrina's plan activated.

And now, Katrina's gone, and Layla is probably my best friend.

"The times me and my bench went through..." I joked, and raised my eyebrows.
Layla laughed.
"So, you still remember the time I was annoying you?" Layla sat down next to me, putting her bag on the floor.
I nodded and smiled.
"I was actually trying to be your friend, but I guess you already knew we were going to start the plan soon.
Look, I just want to ask you something: How did you freakin know you were involved?" Layla suddenly sat up. She laughed in a friendly way, while she placed her hands on my shoulder.

I burst out laughing at her question. It was so funny the way her eyes widened when she asked me that.

"If you widen your eyes anymore, I swear they'll pop out," I pointed to her eyes while chuckling.
"No, seriously how did you know?" Layla sounded excited, and shook me by my shoulders.
She let go, and deeply flared into my eyes, waiting for my answer.
"Fine, I'll tell you. I have to admit, I spied on you a couple of times. It's because you were acting really suspicious!" I exclaimed.

"I didn't know you were a secret agent!?" Layla pulled a face.
"Nah, I'm just fabulous," I patted my chest with my hand.
The bell rung, and we had a race to our next classroom. I won.
"Yes!" I jumped, to emphasize my victory - in front of Layla's face.

She pouted.
"Not fair." She playfully frowned and crossed her arms.
We both stared at each other and cracked up again.

She's actually an amazing friend, I know I can trust her.

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Hiii guys!
I'm sorry if this was a boring chapter please forgive me 😭
I think the story is kind of past the middle, so it's getting closer to the end!
I probably will write another fanfic after this, if you have any requests, comment anytime ❤️    💙Happy New Year everyone 💙
💖 Saranghe readers 💖